Public Works & Safety Committee

PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY COMMITTEE October 2, 2013 Page 1 Members Present: Connole, Hatlelid, Krabseth, Knudsvig, Lehner, Withus. Members Absent: M. Miller Others Present: City Manager, City Clerk, City Attorney, Assistant City Attorney, City Assessor, Assistant City Assessor, Finance Director, Comptroller, City Treasurer, City Engineer, Traffic Engineer, Assistant Public Works Director, Auditorium/Recreation Director, Fire Chief, Captain White, Public Information Officer, City Planner, Jill Schramm, Jim Olson, Alderman Jantzer and Alderman Olson. To the Honorable Mayor and All Aldermen: Following are the recommendations of the Public Works and Safety Committee meeting called to order at 4:15 p.m. on October 2, 2013: 1. That the City Council approve the request from Monique and Larry Jensen to relocate a single family home from 581 N. Rice Lake Road, Douglas, ND to 400 Block of 86th St. NE (Lot 11, Block 2, Pendleton Estates) under the conditions as follows: 1. A ten-thousand dollar completion bond must be posted with the City of Minot prior to issuance of any permits for this work. 2. An adequate foundation in compliance with the City of Minot building codes and zoning ordinances must be furnished at the new location. 3. The plumbing, mechanical and electrical systems must be in compliance with current code requirements of the City of Minot. 4. All work at the new location must be in compliance with the City of Minot building codes and zoning ordinances. 5. Egress windows must be installed in the basement and every bedroom. 6. Smoke detectors must be installed in the basement, in each bedroom, and in areas outside the bedrooms. 7. Paint and repair siding as necessary. 8. Applicant must obtain all necessary permits, and coordinate all relocation activities with public utilities and traffic authorities. 9. The property must be provided with proper drainage, and must be landscaped in a manner similar to surrounding properties. 10. All work must be completed within ten months of state and generally in accordance with the following schedule: a. Foundation complete within two months. b. Structure relocated within four months. c. Work required for code compliance complete within six months. d. Work complete and final clean up complete within ten months. PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY COMMITTEE October 2, 2013 Page 2 ********** The above motion by Alderman Lehner, seconded by Alderman Withus and carried unanimously. 2. That the City Council award the Water Treatment Plant Chemicals bids to the lowest and best bid received as shown below; and further, authorize the Mayor to sign the contract on the City’s behalf: Bidder DPC Industries – Chlorine for $598/Ton DR Transport – Quicklime for $131/Ton Thatcher Co. – Ammonium for $0.3226/LB ********** The above motion by Alderman Lehner, seconded by Alderman Withus, and carried unanimously. 3. That the City Council award the Road Grader Cutting Edge bid to the lowest bidder, Butler Machinery in the amount of $35,488; and further authorize the Public Works Director to complete the purchase. ********** The above motion by Alderman Lehner, seconded by Withus, and carried unanimously. 4. That the City Council place and pass an ordinance on first reading amending Chapter 15.4 of the City of Minot Code or Ordinances regarding Building Design and Materials for M1 and M2 within the Port of North Dakota Intermodal Industrial Park. ********** The above motion by Alderman Lehner, seconded by Alderman Withus, and carried unanimously. 5. That the City Council approve the Project Concept Report for the 37th Avenue SE Urban Reconstruction Project and complete the decision documents as follows: 1. Do you concur in the project concepts proposed? Yes 2. Which Alternative should the project proceed with? Alternative B: Reconstruction 3. Option 1: Which frontage road intersection choice is preferred? 1B: Construction of Permanent Center Line Raised Median 4. Option 2: Which pavement section choice is preferred? 2B: Concrete Pavement Section. ********** PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY COMMITTEE October 2, 2013 Page 3 The above motion by Alderman Lehner, seconded by Alderman Withus and carried unanimously. 6. That the City Council declare the bid of Main Electric in the total amount of$375,865 to be the lowest and best bid received for six Hazard Mitigation Program emergency generators for lift stations. ********** The above motion by Alderman Lehner, seconded by Alderman Withus, and carried unanimously. 7. That the City Council pass Resolution adopting the Ward County Hazard Mitigation Plan Update (2013); providing for findings of fact and for an effective date of September 17, 2013. ********** The above motion by Alderman Lehner, seconded by Alderman Withus, and carried unanimously. 8. That the City Council approve the request for the Police Department to apply and if awarded, accept the 2013 ND SHSP Competitive Grant for Physical Protective Measures, upgrading and enhancing the current analog video surveillance system to a digital system. ********** The above motion by Alderman Lehner, seconded by Alderman Withus, and carried unanimously. General Information Jim Heckman from the First District Health Unit (FDHU) appeared before the Committee to explain the demolition process. He stated homes that were initially demolished were open to inspection and it was evident they were a health and safety hazard. He went on to say the process has become more complicated because remaining structures receiving complaints are sealed and not able to be easily inspected. In these cases, FDHU must do a walk around of the home to start the possible demolition process. Homeowners are then contacted via mail and given 15 days to respond to the notice. If they do not respond, the home may be scheduled for demolition, which is a lengthy process. Those homes would then have to be inspected by an environmental engineer and a City of Minot building inspector to confirm the need for demolition. There are also cases where the home owner has walked away from the property and left the property to the bank. In these events FDHU is required to contact the bank to start the demolition process, which could also extend the timeline. The City Attorney commented that demolition of a home after a complaint is received is not an easy process. Homeowners have 5th Amendment property rights and are legally required to receive due process. When there is a health and safety issue with the property, the process starts by notifying the owner first. He continued by saying when the City demolishes properties there are added procedures that must be followed (ex. Asbestos abatement); these added procedures require added time to accomplish. Terry Petrich of 9 - 5th St NW appeared before the Committee to express concern of the health hazard of overgrown lots in her neighborhood. PUBLIC WORKS AND SAFETY COMMITTEE October 2, 2013 Page 4 Darwin Langseth of 615 14th St SE questioned the Committee as to why properties already designated for buyout cannot be immediately demolished. He also stated the notification process needed to be improved. Finance Director Hemphill stated that not all property owners in the buyout area will want their homes demolished. Also, costs to demolish homes will be carrying costs to the City until funding becomes available. She continued by saying the City is still waiting for approval of the submitted Action Plan, which has been delayed by the Federal Government shutdown. The City is also waiting on funding through the State Water Commission. Upon questioning, she commented the City is focusing on the buyout of only properties designated in the footprint. The first homes purchased were identified to allow better access to the current levee system in place. Charles and Carolyn Moore of 8 Souris Ct. appeared before the Committee to express concern for the length of time in the demolition process. Mrs. Moore stated there should also be respect for the property rights of those that have rehabilitated their homes. She continued by suggesting to organize a possible committee to review the demolition timeline. The Assistant Public Works Director appeared before the Committee to comment on the recently publicized issue with City water quality in the flood area. He stated this situation has been going on through the summer. The Water Department is conducting regular flushing of the pipes to determine how long it will take to revert back to discolored water. He stated age of the water pipes is a major part of the issue. The City is working to isolate areas where the problems lie. He continued by saying there is a process to coat the pipes to alleviate the issue but it is a lengthy process. The City will, however, be trying different methods to resolve the problem since flushing the lines in winter will be a difficult task. There being no further business, Chairman Knudsvig adjourned the Public Works and Safety Committee meeting at 4:47 p.m. Respectfully Submitted, Lisa Jundt, City Clerk